A horse broke my bike - anything I can do?

I was cycling along Hall road - on the left-hand side of traffic as if there was a bike lane - and passed a parade of horses. I might have been too close, but thought it would be ok. Anyway, one of the horses kicked me and my bike.

I got by with a few bruises but my steel frame is bent. I have asked at the bike shop and it will cost £200-300 to repair.

I asked Westminster council if they could provide any reimbursement - my view is the horses should not be using public roads if they aren't comfortable with regular road traffic - but they have replied saying it is illegal to pass on the left hand side and horses have every right to be using the road (they quoted the highway code).

Do I have any ground to pursue this?

Rachel

Replies

I don't want to sound unsympathetic because I wasn't in your situation but, personally, I treat horses much as I would young children: I slow right down and give them as much space as possible - by which I mean several metres.

And btw, it certainly is not illegal for a bike to pass slow-moving or stationary traffic on the left. Speak to a solicitor and find out if you have a case.

However my take on this is one of fairness: just like some motorists claim that bikes shouldn't be on the road, I'm concerned about your claim that horses shouldn't be allowed. I think this is a warning to us all to give plenty of room when passing.

If your bike had been damaged by a car, you would need to pursue the driver, not the highway authority. In this case you need to take this up with the horse rider, not Westminster City Council. I'm sorry to hear about the incident.

- but even then there is no right to get to the ASL "at all costs" eg undertaking HGVs when the lights might change any second - or going past horses if you cannot leave plenty of room............... the "right" applies once you can get there SAFELY.